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FDA Checks Find Children Can Buy
Tobacco Products a Quarter of the Time

By

Chris Adams Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Jan. 24, 2000 1:11 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON -- Children were able to buy tobacco products 25% of the times they tried, and the rate in some states was far higher, according to recently compiled government statistics.

The violation rate, as calculated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was as high as 53% in Georgia and as low as 9% in Maine. The violation rate by type of retail establishment went from a low of 22% for convenience stores to 30% for gas stations,...